Money

In the early days of Hollywood, money was certainly a benefit but it was not often the sole reason one went into acting or directing. Actors and directors did not make the kind of money that movie industry moguls make today. However, as the industry became more popular, the money began to flow, which was both a blessing and a curse.

It seems that the more money the stars made, the more they wanted, and perhaps more importantly, the harder they were to control. During the days of Prohibition, stars were not subjected to the same restrictions as the rest of the country. Stars could get whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted it. The studios often had people who did nothing but attend to the wants, needs, and whims of their money-makers.

Along with a great deal of money came a great deal of excess. Hollywood was becoming...